Baltimore Steam Packet Company

Discovering the Legacy of the Baltimore Steam Packet Company

The Baltimore Steam Packet Company, nicknamed the Old Bay Line, was an American steamship line from 1840 to 1962 that provided overnight steamboat service on Chesapeake Bay. The company operated between Baltimore and Norfolk, with regular stops in Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia, and other cities. It was acclaimed for its genteel service and fine dining, serving Chesapeake Bay specialties. The Old Bay Line played a significant role in bridging the North and South, contributing to its reputation for excellent service. The company closed in 1962 after 122 years of existence, becoming the last surviving overnight steamship passenger service in the United States.

Origins and Early Years

The Old Bay Line’s journey began just seven years after Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat proved the commercial viability of steam-powered ships in 1807. Small wood-burning steamers started to navigate the Chesapeake Bay, setting the stage for what would become a legendary company.

Formation and Early Challenges

In 1828, the Maryland & Virginia Steam Boat Company was formed, linking Baltimore, Richmond, and Norfolk. However, by 1839, the company was heavily in debt from purchasing two new ships, Alabama and Jewess. The impracticality of operating these vessels for Chesapeake Bay operations led to bankruptcy later that year.

Charter and Growth

In 1840, the Baltimore Steam Packet Company was granted a charter by the Maryland legislature. It acquired three steamboats from the former Maryland & Virginia line and began overnight paddlewheel steamship passenger and freight service between Baltimore and Norfolk in 1840. By 1848, the Herald ship was making the trip in under 12 hours.

Challenges and Triumphs

The Old Bay Line faced numerous challenges during its long history. In 1858, the northbound steamer Louisiana collided with a sailboat near the mouth of the Rappahannock River, causing damage to the sailboat. The incident reached the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was found that the Louisiana was at fault.

Impact of the Civil War

The Baltimore Steam Packet Company was affected by the Civil War. A pro-Southern mob attacked Union soldiers on April 19, 1861, leading to local unrest. The company declined to transport Union forces but later chartered Adelaide for the US Navy’s Atlantic Blockading Squadron in May 1861.

Modernization and Competition

The Old Bay Line increased its fleet with modern conveniences under John Moncure Robinson’s leadership from 1867-1893. The company’s heyday occurred in the 1890s under president Richard Curzon Hoffman, who oversaw a rebuilt terminal and headquarters in Baltimore.

World War I and Beyond

After World War I, the Federal government took control of the Old Bay Line and its rival Chesapeake line. In 1922, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad formed the Seaboard–Bay Line Company, which owned all outstanding shares of the company.

The Decline and Legacy

As the Depression ravaged the US in the 1930s, many steamship lines ceased operation. However, the Old Bay Line remained strong and embarked on a modernization program for its main boats. In the 1940s, the company celebrated its centennial with parades and events.

Final Years

The Baltimore Steam Packet Company’s owner entered into an agreement to merge the Chesapeake Steamship Company into the Old Bay Line in June 1941. After World War II, the Old Bay Line promoted its automobile service, installed radar on two ships, and continued to operate despite declining popularity due to improved highways and air travel.

End of an Era

The company went out of business in 1962, with Robert E. Dunn remaining as president until the end of service. The Old Bay Line’s ships were transferred or sold, including President Warfield, which was acquired by Mossad Le’aliyah Bet and renamed Exodus, carrying Holocaust refugees to Palestine before catching fire and burning in 1952.

The company’s headquarters building in Baltimore was sold to the city in 1950, and it relocated to a pier on Pratt Street. The Sunday travel section of The New York Times in 1954 recommended taking a leisurely boat trip across Chesapeake Bay on the Old Bay Line, but passenger volume declined, and the company cut back services.

In 1957, the line discontinued its Washington-D.C. service, and by 1960, it reduced its Baltimore-Norfolk route to freight only during winter months. Passenger service was suspended in October 1961, with operations ceasing on April 14, 1962. The Baltimore Steam Packet Company formally voted to liquidate on May 25, 1962.

The Old Bay Line operated from 1840 to 1962, providing regular passenger and freight services on the Chesapeake Bay. Just seven years after Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat proved the commercial viability of steam-powered ships in 1807, small wood-burning steamers began to ply the Chesapeake Bay.